Gen. Muhoozi retracts support for Speaker Among amid lavish spending concerns

Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has rescinded its earlier endorsement of Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa for their positions in the upcoming parliamentary session. This decision comes in the wake of significant public criticism regarding Speaker Among’s acquisition of a new Rolls-Royce valued at Shs3.4 billion, which she stated was a birthday gift.

In a statement released by PLU General Secretary David Kabanda, the organization officially retracted its support, citing the public uproar. The PLU, an organization allied with the ruling NRM party, highlighted that its members hold numerous elective positions and emphasized that they will now follow President Yoweri Museveni’s lead in selecting candidates for the speakership.

The controversy surrounding the luxury vehicle follows other accusations of extravagant spending and corruption within Parliament, including the infamous iron sheet scandal that affected the Karamoja region. Recently, Agnes Nandutu, a former state minister, was convicted and imprisoned for her role in the iron sheet theft. Additionally, the United States and the United Kingdom have imposed sanctions on Speaker Among over allegations of corruption.

President Museveni, in his recent inauguration speech, reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption, stating that his new term would be characterized by hard work and a zero-tolerance approach to corrupt practices, particularly within Parliament, which he described as a crucial oversight body.

This development occurs as the race for the speakership intensifies, with Democratic Party President Norbert Mao and Persis Namuganza vying for the position. Both contestants have openly criticized the incumbent leadership for alleged failures in combating corruption and wasteful expenditure at the taxpayer’s expense.

Source: https://www.monitor.ug/uganda/news/national/gen-muhoozi-throws-speaker-among-under-the-bus-5457258